Russian state media quoted sources in law enforcement over the weekend as saying that a probe was launched in absentia against rapper Morgenshtern (real name Alisher Valeyev) on a charge of failure to comply with Russia's "foreign agent" law. Morgenshtern is accused of not marking his online materials as "made by a foreign agent." Morgenshtern was added to the list of foreign agents in May 2022. If tried and convicted, Morgenshtern could face up to two years in prison. Morgenshtern fled Russia in November 2021 after Investigative Committee chief Aleksandr Bastrykin publicly accused him of selling illegal drugs. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
